Deoxygenation of inclosed atmosphere



Patented Oct. 13, 1925.

UNITED. STATES VANIA.

1,557,092 PATENT;,OFFICE.

cnmnucn .T. RO'DMAN', or wrtxmssuac, rmmmvamm Assmuoa To wmmenoose name a mmrac'rnamc company, a coaroniarrou F PENNSYL- DEOXYGEN ATION OF INCLOSED ATMOSPHERE Application filed December 23, 1922. Serial No. 608,798.

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, CLARENCE J. RonMAN,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny '6. and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Deoxygenation of Inclosed Atmosphere, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to transformers,

more particularly to means for providing an inert atmosphere in-the space above the liquid level thereof.

It has been found thatgthe presence of oxygen andwater vaporjn the space above the oil in various-electrical apparatus, such as transformers, circuit breakers and the like, causes a reaction with the oil whereby sludging of the oil occurs, resulting in a deterioration of the dielectric properties thereof. Various attempts have been made to overcome this difiiculty but none of the prior attemptshave been completely succemful under all conditions for various reasons. 95 4 The present invention is designed to overcome the difliculties encountered, it being among the objects thereof to provide a material for producing aninert atmosphere in electrical apparatus embodyin a body of oil, which shall be not only a apted to remove oxygen and water vapor therefrom but to maintain said atmosphere in an inert condition;

I When an active metal or alloy is brought into contact with oxygen in an atmosphere under suitable conditions, the metal or alloy is oxidized, thereby leaving an inert atmosphere consisting principally of nitrogen. I utilize this phenomenon to provide and maintain an inert atmosphere in a transformer tank or the like. Preferably, I'utilize an active alloy consisting of inagnesium and lead in finely divided form so laced inrelation to the space above the oil in the apparatus as to be capable of removing oxygen and water vapor therefrom.

In the accompanying drawings, constituting a-garthereof andain whlch like referonce ,0 aracters indicate like parts. Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a transformer tank embodying my invention, some parts being broken away for clearne'ss, and Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectionalview, of the material constituting this invention;

opening into space 4yat points 7 and'8, re-

spectively, are secured to container 9 hav-.

I I w1th an lnsuing a breather. pipe 10 of U-shape filled with mercury or other liquid 11. The open end 12 thereof communicates with the outside air.

Within the container 9 isthe active material 13 .which consists essentially of a.

layer 14 of finely divided active alloy intimately mixed with asbestos or other base.

material to provide a large surfacearea of said metal; Layers 15 and 16 of asbestos constitute protective surfaces for said active mixture 14. Layers of gauze, 17 on the outside of the structure hold the layers 14, 15 and 16 in. proper relation. The active mass 13 is inserted into container 9 through an opening closedby cover 18.

A heating element 19 in container 9 is placed in .such relation to the active mass 13 as to be cap-able of heating the same to a proper temperature for initiating and accelerating the oxidizin wires 20, from heating e ement 19 form a closed circuit with a source of current 21 and a switch 22.

' i In the operation of my device, when a reaction. .Lead

transformer tank is filled with oil, the

space 4 above the same includes oxygen and water vapoiz. Switch 22 is closed causing heater 19 to raise the temperature of active material 13 to such a temperature that the oxidizing reaction thereof is initiated and a circulation of gases in tubes 5 and -6 is started. Oxidation and dehydration proceeds rapidly so that, in a short time,.the

entire atmosphere 4 is inert and consists.

essentially of nitrogen. Switch 22 is then opened and heating .of element 19 discon:

tinued. 1

In the normal operation of the transformer, some breathing occurs through tube 10, thereby introducing more oxy on and water vapor into the system. In t e presence of water vapor and oxygen, the active mass is capable of reacting with the same to form hydrates of the metals of the active alloy. Thus, in thejnormal breathing of the transformer, whatever oxygen and water;

. from the air, thereby maintaining the inert atmosphere in space 4. 7

It is desirable, in many1 instances, to prw vide a reducing atmosp ere in the trans former and this may be accomplished very readily with my new material. Water vapor at ordinary temperatures will react with the active alloy of magnesium and lead or with either of said metals to form oxides thereof liberating hydrogen which provides a reducing atmosphere. ThisI accom lish by moistening the layers 15 and 16 o the active material 13, whereby, during the breathing or owing to the vaportension at the operating temperatures, the vapor comes in contact with the active alloy and causes the reaction to proceed. Also, water vapor may be introduced in various other ways, as is readily apparent.

Although I have described a specific embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that my invention is not limited to the details shown and described. For instance, I am not limited to the structural features shown herein and claimed in my copending application, Serial N 0. 608,799, filed Dec. 23, 1922,

but any other suitable system may be sub- .stituted therefor. Although I prefer to utilize a 20% magnesium80% lead alloy, many other metals and alloys of a similar nature are adapted for my purpose. For instance, I may replace part or all of either or both metals by such .metals as aluminum,

zinc, iron or copper in finely divided form.

Or such metals may be added to the abovespecified active alloys. These and various other changes may bemade in my invention within the scope thereof.

I claim as my invention:

- 1. Means for'removin reactive gases and. vapors from an atmosp ere containing the same, which comprises a mixture of a metal capable of reacting with'oxygen and an inert material, a protective coating over said mixture and means for holding said mix- .ture and inert material in proper relation.

2. Meansfo rremoving reactive ases and vapors from an atm'osphere containing the same, which comprises a mixture of an alloy capable of reacting with oxygen and an inert material, a protective coating over same, which comprises a mixture of a magnesium alloy and asbestos fibres, saidsaid mixture and means for holding said mixture and inert material in properrelation.

3. Means for removin reactive ases and vapors from an atmosp ere containing tle ea same, comprising an easily oxidizable metal in finely divided form mixed with base material to provide a large surface area of said metal and a non-flammable material for providing a porous support for said mixture of metal and base material.

5. Means for removing reactive gases and vapors from an atmosphere containing the same, comprising an alloy capable of reacting with ox gen and water in finely divided form mixe with base material to rovide a large surface area of said alloy an a nonflammable material for providing a porous support for said alloy and base material mixture.

6. Means for removin reactive gases and vapors from an atmosp ere contalning the same, comprising an easily o'xidizable metal in finely divided form mlxed with asbestos to provide a large surface area of said metal and a layer of porous non-flammable material thereon.

7 Means for removin reactive gases and vapors from an atmosp ere containing the same, comprising an alloy capable of reactingwith oxygen and water in finel 1 divided form mixed with asbestos to provi e a large surface area of said alloy and a layer of porous non-flammable material thereon.

8. Means for removin reactive gases and vapors from an atmosp ere containing-the same, comprising an easily oxidizable metal in finely divided form mixed with base material to provide a large surface area of said metal and a protective coating thereover.

9. Means for removing reactive gases and vapors from an atmosphere contalning the same, comprising an alloy capable of reacting with oxygen and 'water. in finely divided 1 form mixed with base material to provide a large surface area of said alloy and a protective coatin thereover.

10. Means or removing reactive gases and vapors from an atmosphere containing the same, comprising an alloy of magnesium and lead containing 20% magnesium and 80% lead, mixed with asbestos fibres and a protective coating of asbestos thereover.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this. 22nd day of December, 1922.

' CLARENCE J. RODMAN. 

